President's Forum available online; President honored

March 27, 2012

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue President France A. Córdova presented her annual State of the University speech Tuesday (March 27) during the President's Forum in the Purdue Memorial Union. Córdova spoke about progress on the strategic plan and discussed the future of higher education.

Córdova, who will end her five-year term as president in July, was honored at a reception following the forum, her last as Purdue's president. The event was emceed by Kirk Cerny, president and CEO of the Purdue Alumni Association, and speakers included Ebony Barrett Kennedy, Clerical and Service Staff Advisory Committee chair; Robert Morman, Administrative and Professional Staff Advisory Committee vice chair; Morry Levy, faculty senate chair; and Sue Hiser, vice president of the Purdue University Retirees Association.

Purdue University President France A. Córdova stands with Kirk Cerny (left), president and CEO of the Purdue Alumni Association, and Rab Mukerjea, executive director of strategic planning and assessment, after receiving the One Brick Higher Award on Tuesday (March 27). Purdue's 11th president and the first woman to hold that position, Córdova will end her five-year term as president in July. She was honored at a reception following the President's Forum, during which she presented her annual State of the University address. (Purdue University photo/Mark Simons)

Purdue's 11th president and the first woman to hold that position, Córdova was also presented with a One Brick Higher Award by Rab Mukerjea, the university's executive director of strategic planning and assessment who also serves as chair of the One Brick Higher awards committee. In presenting the award to Córdova, Mukerjea praised her work at Purdue.

"Under President Córdova's leadership, Purdue has risen in reputational rankings, student success rates and in sponsored research funding," Mukerjea said. "Her focus on the student experience, field-defining research and global footprint expansion has increased Purdue's profile as a world leader in higher education.

"I think I speak for the entire Purdue family when I say that you have taken this university 'One Brick Higher.'"